Vulcanizing apparatus



July 17, 1928.-

` C. H. OAKLEY VULGANIZING APPARATUS Filed July 13. 1921 2 snntysneet 2 vPatented July 17, 192e.

` UNITED STA-TES' vl-PATENT OFFICE.

CLIFFORD H. OKLEY, 0F TRENTON, NEW JERSEY.

' vULcANIzKING ArrAnArUs.

@pacman and my 1s,I

This invention relates to machines for treating Vsemi-formed rubber articles, and

more particularly it relates to y automatic vulcanizing machines.

One of the objects of thisA invention .is 'toiprovide a -novel and eiciently'operatmg vulcanizing ,machine having'themolds xmove progressively therethrough whilef heat and pressure are applied to pro )erly vulcamze -the articles of rubber held within the-molds. f

Another object of the invention is to pr'ovide a vulcanizing machine with automatic 1 machine to prevent the molds from opening,

and then subjecting' them to heat. After the rubber hasl been vulcanized the heat and pressure have been relieved and lthe rubber articles removed. All of the steps of this process have 'been performed by hand, and large and cumbersome apparatus I has been necessary .to provide the individual molds with suliicient heat and pressure. The 1- invention herein to be described contemplates the provision. of an, automatic vulcanizing machine which eliminates the-hand operations and which governs the period of time that `a mold shall subjected to heat and pressure even though eachl mold does not receive individual attention.

A machine selected as a preferred emn bodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevational'view partly in section of a vulcanizing machine;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view ofthe vulcanizing machine taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; f

Figure 3 is an enlarged view 'of a portion of the lower'endof the Amachine illustrating mold guides and mold supports; and

Figures 4 and 5 are, respectively, a crosssectional View and a top, plan view of a mold employed in this machine.

The apparatus to be described in detail may be generally considered as having a .the vulcanizing capacity.

1921. Serial lo. 484,292.

heated container with a central opening therein through which molds'. are progressively passed` andashaviug synchronously operating .automatic means for introducing and discharging the molds and forexerting pressurev on the molds atotherj times. 4Although the yselected embodiment is. 'aymachine of the vertical type, it-is to be underystood that it may be positioned at jan angle to the' horizontal, or it may belhorizontal ,therebypermitting several vulcanizers to be positioned-.one above the other to increase vantages of the continuous type of vulcanizer .is that a large quantity of articles may be vulcanized with the minimum-ff requirement of floor space and of operating equipment. yF or purposes of description'the machine will be described as" one employed in the manufacture of rubber heels, although other articles-maybe made by employing other molds.- y 1 Referring to4 the drawings, theselected vulcanizing machinehas a supporting base 1 provided with arms 2 for supporting a cylindrical body Vorcontainer 3, and mounted on the top of the container is a suitable means for exerting pressure on theftop of the molds within the container. A conveyor 1 of suitable form lis provided for conductlng the molds discharged from the top of the' `machine to a worktable 5 Where theyv are unloaded and refilled and positioned for entrance again into the container.

The body or container 3 is preferably constructed of a plurality of metal sections 6 which .are assembled to provide a central passageway constituting a heating zone vto permit the molds to be moved therein. Suitable resilient bands 7 are-provided for maintaining the sections in assembled position irrespective of their conditions of expansion or contraction. The molds are heated yduring their movement through .the container byproviding a suitable heating means, whlch 1n this instance is steam supplied to cavities 8 ineach of the sections. The steam l-isconducted from a suitable sourcev (not shown)through conduits 9 and1 10 to annular conduits 11 and 12 and thence through slip joints 13 to the several sections. The slip joints are provided to allow for the expansional and contractional movements of the sections due to the heat. A suitable means for governing the steam pressure and to a .large degree for regulating the heat is pro- One of the ad- Y vided in the form of a, valve-14 operating under an adjustable weight 15.y

In the vertical type of vulcanizer as herein illustrated the molds are preferably introduced at the base. After a mold of4 a type hereinafter to be' described has been filled with the rubber article in semi-cured condition, vand in this instance a rubber heel, it is moved from the work table 5 on to a plunger 16 which operates to force the mold into the container and to move the proceedngmolds toward'the top of the contalner. The molds are properly positioned onl the plunger lby means of suitable depending lug's 17 attached to the sections' (see Figs. 1 and 3).

plunger the mold engages tapered surfaces.

In the `upward movement of the 18 of movable ysupports 19 and forces these su ports backward. against springs' 20. After the mold has moved to a position above the supports the springs operate to push these supports to their normal positlons vfor supporting the molds; the plunger in the meantlme returning to its'normal down posir tion.

The moldnow becomes sub'ected to theheat of the steam and to a dou le pressure due to the weight of the other 'molds and to an exerted pressure later to be described.

The'plunger-16 may be operated by any suitable means such or instance as water or a liquid under pressure admitted to a cylinder 21 formed in the base l and surrounding the plungerl. The vater is admitted from avsource of Supply (not shown) to the v cylinder through conduits 22 and 23 and is Withdrawn through conduits 23 and 24. A suitable valve 25 governs the 'flow of the water to and from the cylinder. The vulcanizer is adapted to be controlled or operated by hand or automatically by the movement-of lever 26 attached to the valve 25.

I n operatingby hand a handle 27 is attached to the lever-26 and is positioned within easy reach of the opeiat'or. In operating automatically, one form of mechanismfor accomplishingthis function is' shown as comprising a hooked lever 28 attached tollever 26, a rotating plate 29 provided with a knob 30 for engaging hook 31 on lever 28, and .a .driving motor 32 for revolving the plate'29. This motor is governed by a starting switch 33 and a resistancev 34 both attached lto the table 5 and responsive to the will of the operator so that the period of time of operation of the plunger 16 may be governed at will by changing the speed of the motor. The lever 26 is provided with a spring 35 for moving it back to itsnormal position and the speed of this movement is controlled by a suitable dash pot 36.

In properly vulcanizing rubber articles pressure must be'applied to the molds. In this type of vulcanizer the pressuremay be applied from'the top and for this purpose a piston 37 is lhydraulically operated in Acylinder 38 to force the molds together while heat is being applied. It is however to, be

noted that the molds near the base of the container have an additional pressure due to the weight of the molds above. The piston 37 4operates in synchronism withplunger 16V a finished mold is being removed. A system of links and levers comprising valve operati.;

ing lever 48, connecting link 40 and operating lever 41 and link 42 are' moved under the influence of plunger 16 to operate'a valve 49- governing` the flow 'of fluid -to and from the cylinder 38 for controlling the; operation ofj X piston 37 to h ave this piston fnove to its noli-, operative position as a new mold moves into A' its place at the bottom of thepile. When a new mold has been` introduced at,

the base'of the vulcanizer, the topmost mold; v has been moved to a position 'above the con" tainer from which position it is moved to the conveyor 4 by any suitable' mean'swhich also voperates in synchronism with plunger D'iii 16. The suitable means for moving the mold to the conveyor is illustrated in the form of a double actmg piston operating in cylinder 44 which is supported on a bracket 45. An arm 46 carryin a pusher 47, preferably `forked, is move by the pistonand engages the mold and moves it out of contact I withthe next succeeding mold. This arm f -is then withdrawn and the piston 37 moves into position against the next mold and exerts pressure on the pile 'of molds. A leverl 39 attached to link 42 and to a valve 43 operates this last named valve in synchronism with plunger 16 so that the operation of the pusher 47 is coordinated with the movements of the other operating-mechanisms.

In describing the operation of the vulcanizing machine in connection with its ap` plication to vulcanizing rubber heels, the molds are filled atthe work table with the, molded rubber. Preferably these molds accommodate a single heel but they may be enlarged if desired. The construction of a preferred mold is illustrated inl Figs. 4 and 5, where a. ring 50` preferably made of cast iron constitutes the holding member, and above and below this ring are a top late 51 and a base plate 52 respectively. hese plates preferably are madel of material having a coefiicient of expansion differing from that of the ring 50. After a mold has been filled it is moved along the-work table and on to plunger 16 ready to beintroduced into the container. In starting the machine the the top of .the

l the work table where it is unloaded and re filled.

rov

operation of AThe vulcanization of the rubber heels may be varied by varying the steam pressureand 4by varying the speed at which are passed through the container. By the this container a continuous vulcanizing process is obtained while a pressure is intermittently exerted in addition tothe pressure' due to the weight ofthe molds.

It will be observed that in the present apparatus the molds are so arranged that thel article to be vulcanized is positioned with' its edges nearest the source of heat. Ordinarily this is not an advantageous condition in vulcanizing apparatus; it beingldesired yto heat all parts of the article to be vulcanized with substantial. uniformity. I therefore soarrange the mold that heat will be transmitted to the heel partly by radiation and partly by conduction; the latter being more efficient. The top and bottom plates 51 and 52 are arranged tocontact with the walls of the container `so that heat will be' more quickly transmitted by conduction to the flat surfaces of the heel, .while the middle plate is out of contact with the walls of the con tainer thereby receiving the greater part of its heat by radiation; Moreover, if desired.l the top and bottom plates may be made of a metal or alloy suchl as aluminum of greater thermal conductivity than the middle'pl'ate thereby still further hastening the transmission of heat to the top and bottom surfaces of the heel.

The vulcanizing machine as set forthand described as a machine embodying this invention is capable of being'moditied and 1s subject to changes, but it is to be understood that such modifications and changes are considered as being within the scope of this invention as outlined by the following claims. V

I claim:

1. In a vulcanizing 'apparatus having a heating zone for applying a vulcanizing heat, the combination with means for supporting a series of molds with some of the molds within the heating zone comprising guides frictionally engaging the molds wit yielding pressure, of means for moving the molds forward along said guides and means for maintaining pressure against the end mold of the series while adding a fresh mold to the series.

2. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising a tubular member open at one end and having walls yieldably pressed toward each other, means for applying vulcanizing heat to the walls of said member, means for moving. a series of molds progressively step'by step through 'said tubular member 'and any friction contact with the yieldable walls and means operative at automatically controlled intervals to vadd a mold to the series at one end and forcev it foward against the other the added mold.

lmold and feed all the molds through a dis- .tance substantially equal to the thickness ofV 3. In a vulcanizing apparatus, in combina# tion a 'work table, a circuit beginning and ending adjacent said table com rising a heat-` A ing zone having walls yieldab y pressed towards each other and means automatically operative to move a succession of molds `aroundsaid circuit substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising'a cylinder `having expansible walls, a series of molds of asizeto fit tightly within thev cy1inA der and frictionally'engavethe walls thereo'.

and means for forcing the molds in tinuous series through the cylinder.

5. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising parallel ways yieldably pressed toward each other and means for progressively feeding molds forward along said ways and lin frictional contact therewith substantially as described. 4

6. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination cfa container having yieldable walls presenting a hot zone for applying vulcanizing heat to the molds and capable of having molds pass therethrough, means forl exerting pressure on said molds to hold them in closed relation during their movement through said container, and means for introducing said molds at one end ofsaid containerand for discharging themfrom said'container at another point.

7. In an upright vulcanizer, the combination of a sectional container having radially yieldable walls for receiving molds having' therein articles to be vulcanized, means for heating said container, and automatic means for moving said molds fromthe base to the top of said container at predetermined speeds.

8. In a bine-tion of a container capable of receiving a plurality of molds containing articles to be vulcanlzed, means for exerting intensified pressure on said molds, and means for introducing molds into said' container at a point where they will be subjected to a ressure when intensified pressure is reieved.

9. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination of a lurality of sections maintained in cylin rical assembly by resilient bands, means for heating each of said sections, means for movin molds containing articles to be vulcanize between said sections and in contact therewith, and means vulcanizing apparatus, the comroo for exerting pressure .on said molds-during their. movement. l y 10. In l '-.bination of a vertical container comprising l.l apluralit' of quadrant sections maintained in assemlil v.means for n introducing steam into `lcavities in said sections, plunger means in the base of .said machine for, movingthree-part molds containing-.articles 'to be vulcanized into said cntainer,.said molds having two partsrthereofin contact withsaid` sections, a'plungermeansin the top lof said machine for exerting .a pressure on saidmolds, autop .maticmeans for moving-said second' plunger .as said firsty plunger introduces amold, and means for. discharging the top mold from said container. 1

11.` Ina-vulcan'izing apparatus, the combination ofa lurality of sections assembled to forin .a c -indrical opening and to .re-`

lc'eive circular molds containing articles to be vulcanized, spring pressed supports for said moldsat the bottom. of lsaid sections, a plunger means for lintroducing molds into saidl container and for forcing said supports outfofy normal position during the introductionlofr a mold, means for exerting a pressure onv said molds, andautomatic means for relieving said pressure and for operating a mold discharging means asa newmoldis introduced.

12. In a vulcanizing apparatus, the combination of aheated container for receiving a'plurality of molds having articles therein to be vulcanized, a hydraulically operated plunger for introducing molds into said con- VVVtainer, a second. hydraulically operated l .plunger for exerting pressureon said molds, '.149 and 'a double-acting piston carrying an arm for moving molds from said container, said second hydraulic plunger and said doublev,acting piston automatically controlled by the movement of said first hydraulic plunger to release the pressure on said'molds and to discharge one of said molds from said machine I3. I n-a vulcanizing apparatus, the coma vulcanizing apparatus, the comispring bands,

ed position by resilient bands,

' .ities at predetermined values,',

'flically'operatedl plunger at the besefv of said for moving a mold containing p lcanized intosaid container and 'againsttlevlast-introduced mold, sprin o .aside du'ringj-.t

the top o table,

y to said double-actin vbin-ation of sz-container consisting-of al phi-L rallty of sections 4assembled tok form a eyle4 inderand being maintained inf .position .by

maintaining thevsteam pressuredn said cavafgfhydrauf .machine rubber to b pressed s'lippoptsj capable of being lpres v ieix'introduction of said mold and of sup ort operating. second saiI machine orexerting a downted to moveupward as an additional mol Iig said mold when saidv r' has been withdrawn, a E lly o eratedplungerl inv 'said sections having-cavities .j for receiving steam, anJau-tomat'ic valve for l is in-` troduced into said machine', an arm at the" top of said machine operated by a double-' i acting piston for pushing the top inold from in under said second plunger, a conveyor for conducting ther discharged and connected arms operated by the movement of said operating plunger for governing valves to said second plunger and y piston.I l 14. Ina vulcanizmgapparatus, the combination of a heated havingY aplurality of molds through, the interior surface o tainer yieldably contactin l with a part of each mold which has ,a de nite coeicient of expansion for conducting heat to the top and bottom faces ofthe articles held therein andl transmitting heat by radiation to another part of said mold being of different coefficient of expansion, saidr mold adapted to transmit heat uniformly to the article to be vulcanized, and means for moving said molds through said container and for 'intermittently exerting pressure thereon.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my ass there,- said conname to this specification this 23rd dayof container capable vof molds to a work' 

